I should be repairing the ceiling in the garage. But, as you can see, I’m not. Instead, I’ve been reviewing a couple of contracts — announcements soon — and reading slush — more announcements soon — and pondering the holiday season.

Like a lot of folks, I hate to shop. It isn’t that I don’t like to give. I do. But I don’t like crowds. So I do my best to avoid malls, especially this time of year. This is when the internet can be my friend. I say “can” because a lot of it depends on how reliable the product information and shipping times happen to be when you purchase online. Then there’s the whole thing of making sure someone is home to accept the packages when they’re delivered, etc. Now, if only I could find a way to have everything gift wrapped, without having to pay more for it….oh well, that, too, will happen one day.

Over at Mad Genius Club today, I posted links and cover images to some of the books and short story collections the other mad ones have for sale. Three of them — Dave Freer, Sarah A. Hoyt and Kate Paulk — already have titles out with NRP. A fourth, Chris McMahon — a wonderful Australian author — will have a short story in our upcoming Angels and Demons themed anthology, due out later this month. Hopefully, in the not too distant future, we’ll have something to offer from Rowena Cory Daniells as well.

What I’d like you to consider, if you have books — or e-books — to purchase for friends or loved ones this holiday season, is buying something from one of these wonderful authors. Dragon’s Ring by Dave Freer is probably the best fantasy I read this year, and that’s saying a lot. Darkship Thieves is the best space opera I’ve read in a long time. Both definitely make my top ten list in books I’ve read this year. Rowena’s King Rolen’s Kin trilogy is in my tbr pile as are Chris’ books. (See the MGC post for links to all their books I mentioned today.)

Give the gift of a book, or an e-book, to someone you care about. Share an author you love.